Dedicated to the Improvement of Occupational Safety & Health through Training & Education

No Retaliation! Holding Employees Accountable to Following Safety Procedures Without Violating OSHA’s New Anti-Retaliation Rule

Did You Know? There are 22 whistleblower laws enforced by OSHA alone? How many other regulatory agencies investigate and/or enforce retaliation claims?

Why Does This Matter To Me? Nearly 20 Years in Safety, Human Resource, and Personnel Development Safety & Human Resource Manager Trainer, Facilitator, Consultant I AM NOT an attorney! wdove@blauchbrothers.com

Why Does This Matter To You? Do you have policies, procedures, or work rules in place? Do you have ANY employees that fall into a protected class? Has there ever been a workplace injury at your company?

Someone is Hurt, Now What? What’s the typical response in many cases when an employee is injured? Who’s at fault? What other questions should you be asking?

What is OSHA Telling Us? Employers must have a reasonable procedure to report work-related injuries or illnesses. Employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees for reporting work-related injuries or illnesses. This can include automatic drug testing and disciplinary action tied directly to reporting injury or illness.

So Let’s Back Up a Few Steps Have you EVER had someone violate one of your policies, procedures, or work rules? What steps do you take in holding them accountable when this happens? But what if no harm is really done?

Consistency is KEY Accidents/Injuries don’t just happen! Identifying the contributing factors is critical. How have you addressed similar issues or violations? Will there be situations that call for more immediate or severe action?

What About Drug Testing? CONSISTENCY is still key! What practices do you currently have in place? Random, Reasonable Suspicion, other? Why are these even more important now? Other resources for guidance?

Upcoming Events “Is Your Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy Compliant with OSHA’s New Rule?” Complimentary Webinar by Travis Vance Save the Date: March 24, 2017, 10a – 11:15a BRSA Safety Seminar Plecker Workforce Center, Weyers Cave Save the Date: April 6, 2017 Travis Vance, BRSA Secretary and Attorney at Fisher Phillips

Benefits for Members Discounts on Annual Conferences/Seminars Answers to your Safety Questions/Concerns Informative Newsletters – E-blast Safety Walk Through Services Custom Training Available On/Off Site PowerPoint Training Materials Referrals to Consultants and Trainers Membership has its benefits. When have you had a need or unique question but didn’t have a ready answer. Members are networked. Need a lead on a consultant or trainer.

Annual Membership Dues 1-100 Employees $200 101-500 Employees $300 501-1000 Employees $400 1001 or more $500 Individual Memberships Professional (consultants) $50 Consultants or individuals with no employees Student $10 For membership details and application form: www.blueridgesafety.org Association dues are extremely reasonable and tailored to your companies size. Information on joining the BRSA is included in your participant materials. Individual Memberships are really intended for individuals who work independently and don’t have employees (consultants, sales people, etc). BRSA Membership is really designed to be a benefit that extends to your entire workforce which is why we have the annual dues structure based on the number of your employees. If you have any questions about membership, please speak to a board member.

Board Members Officers: Roy Norville – President HR/H&S Manager, Pactiv Foodservice/Food Packaging Kevin Arnold – Vice President Safety & Health Manager, Tenneco Incorporated/Walker Manufacturing Gary Higgs – Treasurer Retired from Wetsel, Inc. ,Previous Controller, Secretary & Treasurer Travis Vance, Esq – Secretary Attorney, Fisher & Phillips LLP Board Members: Wes Dove Safety & HR Manager, Blauch Brothers; Dove Development & Consulting Lara Hoke Owner, HR & Safety Solutions John Sutton Environmental Health & Safety Manager, Nibco John Weisgerber Manager of Environmental Compliance & Safety, Dynamic Aviation Your Board members are active professionals have rich backgrounds in Safety, Industrial Health, Human Resources, Regulatory Law, and Risk Management.

Contact Us Katelyn Haupt, BRSA Project Coordinator blueridgesafetyassociation@gmail.com